The document discusses the digital technology and ICT methods needed to create a horror/psychological thriller film trailer, promotional poster, and magazine cover. It outlines 7 key tools: 1) a video camera for filming the trailer, 2) a camera for photographs, 3) computers/laptops for research, editing, and organizing work, 4) a memory stick for transferring files, 5) WordPress for blogging and displaying work, 6) Prezi for interactive presentations, and 7) SlideShare for presenting information. It also mentions using Adobe After Effects for advanced video editing to add effects to the final trailer.

1. Research & Planning: Use of
digital technology and ICT
Film Trailer - Katie Wootton

2. In order to create an effective horror/psychological thriller film trailer, promotional poster and magazine cover, I must plan
what digital technology and methods of ICT I will be needing to create this. This ensures that I have enough time to obtain each
piece of equipment or software before filming and creating the poster/cover and to make sure that I know how to use each
piece of equipment or software. This presentation will include all of the items which are required along with their appropriate
photograph and purpose. I will also include advantages and disadvantages of the item.
1. Video Camera
I will be using the video camera supplied by my school’s
Media course for the majority of the creation of this trailer.
This is one of the most essential pieces of technology as the
trailer could not be made without one and the creation lies
solely upon it. This video camera will be used both inside
and outside of school and I may also use a second camera
which is owned by a friend. The video camera will be of a
good quality to ensure that the quality of the trailer itself is
good and professional. I will experiment with different
effects and techniques when using the video camera to make
sure that the trailer is at it’s highest standard. The benefits
of using a video camera is that they’re relatively simple and
straightforward to use and they’re quite small and compact
meaning they can be used and taken virtually anywhere with
ease. The disadvantages are that because it’s quite small and
compact, it can be easily lost or stolen. Video camera’s are
also quite fragile meaning that if it were dropped, it would
most likely break. The quality of the video camera will be
good but they can’t always effectively convey all of what is
going on – this could prove to be difficult to overcome.
Before I start filming officially for my trailer, I will attempt
to experiment with other video camera’s to see what I am
able to do and to prepare me – this will develop my video
camera skills and hopefully benefit my final product.

3. 2. Camera
The camera will be used more for the magazine cover and promotional poster rather
than the trailer itself. A camera is just as essential as using a video camera as without
it, I would be unable to take photographs for my poster and magazine cover. I will be
experimenting with the settings available on the camera as well as editing the
photographs afterwards on a computer. The cameras that I have access to are of good
quality – for example, my camera is 10 mega pixels which means the image will be
clear and detailed. I will attempt to take some practice shots in order to find out
which angles work well and which don’t. I will be using either the camera supplied by
the school or my home camera – using both will be an advantage as I can then take
photographs at any time and anywhere. As cameras are quite small and compact, they
can be taken anywhere – but this might raise the issue of them getting lost or broken
as they’re also quite fragile. My camera also allows a video camera setting which may
be handy. Another issue however, is whether my actors/actresses will be willing to
give up their time to take photos outside of school hours – if they are not willing to do
this, the time period in which we can take photographs is limited. The quality of the
photograph is also limited to a certain extent.
3. School/home computers/laptops (keyboard & mouse)
Its crucial that I have a lot of access to computers and laptops at both home and school throughout the process of designing my
trailer, promotional poster and magazine cover. Throughout the research & planning phase of my coursework I have
consistently used computers to find research into similar products and get inspiration for all of my final products. I will also
need a computer to find things which I can incorporate into my trailer – for example, finding appropriate horror sound clips –
this would be virtually impossible without a computer. Another major aspect of using a computer is the editing process which I
will need to carry out on my trailer, magazine cover and promotional poster. Computers are just as important as video cameras
and cameras. A major advantage here is that I have a computer and laptop at home as well as computer access at school – this
means I will get the project completed in a much shorter amount of time than I would if I only had access to one computer. If I
get random inspiration to do work when I’m at home, I am able to do so. Storing and displaying all of my work on the computer
is helpful too as it means it’s all in one place and can be organised clearly. The internet connection is beneficial too as it means
that I can quickly send my work to my blog. There really aren’t any disadvantages to having this computer access as it helps me
in numerous ways.

4. 4. Memory Stick
A memory stick will be necessary at some points as I will need to
transfer work I have at school or at home to different computers.
Without this device, it would take me much longer to complete
my coursework as I wouldn’t be able to access my work as easily.
This device will also work as a back up so that I don’t lose any of
my coursework – for example, if my computer breaks and I lose
my work, it will be available on my memory stick. My school
network has been quite unreliable in the past and so I feel that
this is necessary. I will be using more than one memory stick to
ensure that there's no possible way for me to lose any work. The
disadvantage of using such a small device is that it can easily be
lost – it is important that this doesn’t happen. I have a bright
orange memory stick which will make it more eye-catching
meaning I’m less likely to lose it.
5. WordPress
WordPress is a free and open source blogging tool and content
management system. It is where I am displaying all of my Media
coursework ready for marking – this means it is an essential in order to
display my work and keep all the pieces together in an organised
format. I have been presenting my work in chronological order and will
continue to do so for the duration of the coursework. This website has
also allowed me to gain inspiration from other users for trailer, poster
and magazine cover ideas. An advantage of this website is that it’s easy
and straightforward to use – no technical background is required to
work it. It’s also very efficient and responsive as I’ve had no problems
whilst using it – I couldn’t suggest any improvements for it. A
disadvantage of this website is that because my work is displayed
openly and freely, it would be quite easy for somebody else to copy my
work – this would reduce the originality of my work.

5. 6. Prezi
Prezi is a piece of presentation software based on the design of a cloud.
It’s very interactive and allows users to navigate themselves around
presentations in a creative way. This website is extremely appropriate for
my Media course as it includes various interactive elements and
attractively displays work. I have used Prezi to put together research into
other trailers, magazine covers and promotional posters. I then
incorporated my Prezi presentations into my WordPress blog. I will most
likely use Prezi again throughout the duration of the course. There are so
many benefits to using Prezi – it’s simple, straightforward and clear
which means that virtually anyone can use it. It’s also very adaptable as
you can choose your own designs and fonts meaning I can personalise my
presentations. Prezi presentations can also be shared with friends.
However, putting all of your work on the internet openly and freely can
raise copyright issues as other people might take your work without
asking for your permission – this is the only disadvantage.
7. SlideShare
SlideShare is a slide hosting service which I am currently using to display
this presentation on. Users can upload files publicly or privately. Mine will
be uploaded publicly in the format of either PowerPoint or OpenOffice. The
concept of the website is very clever in that it is similar to YouTube but is
for presentations rather than videos. I will need this website to present lots
of related information at one time and keep my work looking organised and
together. The advantages of using SlideShare is that it’s very simple to use
and so virtually anyone can navigate themselves through presentations. If
presentations are uploaded publicly, you can view other peoples work
which allows you to gain inspiration for your own work. Unfortunately, I
used SlideShare for last year’s coursework and often came across problems
such as the website not allowing me to view what I had uploaded meaning I
couldn’t embed it onto my WordPress – if this happens again, I may have
to use another website such as Scribd.

6. 8. Adobe After Effects CS3/CS4
I will be using this in the final stages of the production of my trailer. This video editing
software is essential to the creation of my film trailer. Without this software, the quality
of my trailer would be of a terrible standard and I wouldn’t be able to make my trailer
appear how I want it to look. Predominantly, the use of this software will be carried out
on the school computers but I have the more recent version of the software on my
home computer meaning I can work from both locations. I am hoping that the software
will help me add a range of effects to my final trailer, thus improving the overall quality
and professionalism of my finished product. As this is sophisticated and advanced
software, I hope that I can finish my trailer with it looking appealing and eye-catching,
making it generally effective as a trailer. The disadvantages to using this software is
that it can be quite complex – it may take me a while to learn how to use it properly and
even then, I may not be able to make my trailer look as good as I’d like it. I hope that I
have an appropriate amount of time to carry out all the editing that needs to take place
as I imagine that it will be quite a time consuming process.
9. Adobe Photoshop 6.0/CS4
In order to create an effective promotional poster and magazine cover, I will need the
use of graphics/photograph editing software. This type of software is essential for
completing my coursework to a good standard. On the school computers, I have access
to Adobe Photoshop CS4 and on my home computer I have access to Adobe Photoshop
6.0 – both of which are good versions of the software meaning I can work at home and
school – this means I should have enough time to get all my editing done before my
deadline. However, as I have to edit both a promotional poster and magazine cover, I
imagine this will be quite a time-consuming task. The editing aspects of the coursework
are what I imagine to be the most strenuous. Photoshop can be quite a complex and
sophisticated program meaning that if I use it well, my finished products could look
very professional and attractive. However, in order to achieve this, it may take a while
to learn how to use the software effectively as there are a lot of elements that need to be
learnt. If I do have problems with using the software, I can access YouTube tutorials
which offer step-by-step guides as to how I can use the tools which Photoshop offers.

7. 10. Audacity
Audacity is a digital audio editor. It will allow me to record, edit
and mix. At first, this might not seem as essential as video editing
software and picture editing software but one of the characters in
my film trailer requires a much deeper voice than they typically
have, so this is quite essential. Sound/audio plays a big role in
creating the scary effects that are typically seen in horror films
and so an audio editor is very important to make my trailer look
believable and professional. This won’t just be used to edit
characters’ voices but I will also use it for actual music. If I am
able to edit my sound tracks well, my trailer could be very
professional. Learning how to use the software may prove to be
quite difficult as it seems very complex so I will have to
experiment with the software’s features before I actually start to
use it. Another disadvantage is that Audacity is said to be limited
sometimes in its mixing capabilities. This process of the
coursework is one which I envisage to be quite time-consuming
and frustrating but I will use tutorials in order to learn how to use
it effectively.